Newcomb-Tulane Undergraduate College

Yesterday the Board approved a plan for preserving the name and legacies of Tulane and Newcomb Colleges.

As Tulane University implements its Renewal Plan in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Board of Tulane approved a sweeping set of recommendations on Thursday (March 16) to preserve some of the university’s most time-honored traditions. It renewed its historic ties to Paul Tulane and H. Sophie Newcomb by naming the university’s new undergraduate college the Newcomb-Tulane College.

Newcomb’s role in women’s education will continue as well:

The board also established The H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College Institute, which will draw women students and all faculties from across the university in a dynamic, interdisciplinary program designed to enhance women’s education and continue to enrich the women’s community at Tulane. The Newcomb College Institute will be housed on the Newcomb campus and will be headed by an executive director who will also be the holder of a newly created Newcomb College Endowed Chair.

But before the Board’s vote several Newcomb alumnae and students filed a lawsuit to stop the dissolution of Newcomb College as a degree granting institution. The Chronicle has the story here.